An alternative approach to food aid from the Sudan conflict

Policymakers are increasingly recognising conflict and displacement as the major causes of food insecurity and famine. Humanitarian responses in Sudan have usually prioritised immediate food aid, shelter and healthcare. The NMPACT food programme takes a longer-term approach, addressing the root causes of the crisis.

The Nuba region of Sudan is home to over 50 different ethnic groups. Their livelihoods fall into three main groups: traditional smallholder agriculture, pastoral agriculture and horticulture. Food security has been a major issue since 1985 when many of the Nuba people joined the civil war in Sudan. Research from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization reviews the Nuba Mountains Programme Addressing Conflict Transformation (NMPACT) and its efforts to improve food security.  

NMPACT concentrated on supporting farmers to develop sustainable agriculture and removing market constraints, alongside conflict transformation and efforts to build peace. The programme emphasised coordination across humanitarian agencies and promoted a set of principles that work with local people, to encourage collective decision-making and advocacy. These principles included:

• all development interventions are part of a single, integrated, conflict transformation programme
• interventions should create a situation that enables a peace process led by Nuba people, reinforced through the participation of national representatives in a Partners’ Fora
• all actions should follow a ‘least harm’ approach that avoids damaging efforts for longer-term peace-building and promotes fair and equal interventions in response to local needs
• interventions must build self-reliance and local economic opportunities
• interventions must ensure protection of human rights and livelihoods
• programmes should be flexible and responsive to changing conditions
• aid workers must obtain secure, unimpeded access to all local areas involved in the conflict.

The aim was to integrate food aid within a political framework and use humanitarian assistance to contribute to conflict resolution, while also addressing immediate needs. The biggest problem for the long-term aims of the programme was the displacement of people from their homes. Without secure land, the Nuba could not become self-sufficient. The guiding principles then became important whilst creating policies for resettlement and land tenure.

NMPACT shows that strategic coordination is useful in complex emergencies. While the need for the fast delivery of aid is unavoidable, a response to food insecurity that looks beyond immediate responses provides longer-term benefits. The report suggests:

• Donors and relief agencies should attempt alternative models of development and aid where emergencies have become chronic and political discussion is not allowed.
• Humanitarian agencies should coordinate their activities better, or the effectiveness of programmes such as NMPACT is reduced.
• Coordination should focus on providing services to partners and facilitating learning and analysis, rather than assuming a lead role in decision-making or security issues.
• Donors should encourage collaboration within their emergency frameworks so working together is appealing for partner organisations.
• Funding should support efforts to understand the deep-rooted causes of crises as well as provide emergency aid.

Source(s):
‘Changes and Potential Resilience in Food Systems in the Nuba Mountains Conflict’, Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, by Sara Pantuliano, April 2005 Full document.

Funded by: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

id21 Research Highlight: 16 March 2006

Further Information:
Sara Pantuliano
Humanitarian Policy Group
Overseas Development Institute
111 Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7JD
UK

Tel: +44 (0)20 7922 0362
Fax: +44 (0)20 7922 0399
Contact the contributor: s.pantuliano@odi.org.uk

United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization

Other related links:
id21 insights #61 'Achieving food security: what next for sub-Saharan Africa?'

'Is food aid effective?'

'Does tying matter?'

'How does conflict affect food security in Ethiopia and Eritrea?'

'Improving food aid in the Great Lakes region of Africa'

'Understanding the war to bring lasting peace to eastern Sudan'